Autotrophs

The autotroph pictured here is algae. Click on image for full size (122K jpeg) Image courtesy of Corel Photography Organisms that are able to "make their own food" are called autotrophs, meaning "self-feeders". Some examples of autotrophs are plants and algae (shown in the picture). Both plants and algae use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and the Sun's energy into food for themselves. Autotrophs are the producers of the food chain.

Autotrophs

Alga (singular of algae) is an example of an autotroph because it is capable of photosynthesis. Click on image for full size (122K jpeg) Image courtesy of Corel Photography Autotrophs are organisms that can "make their own food" from an inorganic source of carbon (carbon dioxide) given a source of energy. Most autotrophs use sunlight in the process of photosynthesis to make their own food. Photosynthesis is the name of the process which autotrophs use to convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen. Examples of autotrophs are plants and algae (shown in the picture). Autotrophs are the producers of the food chain. The word autotroph comes from the Greek autos=self and trophe=nutrition.

Autotrophs

Alga (singular of algae) is an example of an autotroph because it is capable of photosynthesis. Click on image for full size (122K jpeg) Image courtesy of Corel Photography Autotrophs are organisms that produce organic compounds from an inorganic source of carbon (carbon dioxide) given a source of energy. If the source of energy is the reactions of inorganic chemical compounds, then the autotroph is known as a chemoautotroph. An example of a chemoautotroph is the bacteria that live in deep sea vents. More commonly, autotrophs use light in the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the name of the process which photoautotrophs use to convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen. Examples of photoautotrophs are plants and photosynthetic algae. Autotrophs are the producers of the food chain. The word autotroph comes from the Greek autos=self and trophe=nutrition.

Last modified August 9, 2006 by Jennifer Bergman.
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